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MN 24 1896 



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DOCTOR AND MRS. SMITH AT HOME. 



MY COUNTRY/TIS OF THEE 



THE LATEST POEMS 



REV. SAMUEL FRANCIS SMLLH, D.D. 



THE PEOPLE'S LAUREATE, 



REV. GEORGE C. LORIMEK, D.p. 




BOSTON A !>-^ J . 
AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY 
I 896 






S72 



copykioht, 1<s96, 
By Geo. H. Sprinc.er. 



C. J. PETERS & SOX, tvpo(;raphers, 
BOSTON. 



A TRIBUTE 

Our Honorary Mkmber 
REV. SAMUEL FRANCIS SMITH. D.D. 

FKO.M THI-: 

"\'()UXG Men's Baptist Social Union 

OF 

BOS'I'ON, MAS.S. 



IFntrobuction. 

At a meeting of the directors of the Young Men's 
Baptist Social Union of this city, held Nov. 25, 1895, 
the undersigned were appointed a committee to prepare 
a memorial in honor of the late Rev, Samuel P'rancis 
Smith, D.D., who at the time of his death was the first 
and only honorary member of the Union. The memo- 
rial to contain a brief sketch of Dr. Smith's life, to- 
gether witli " America," the six hymns written bv him 
expressly for the Union, and the •• People's Laureate." 
written by Rev. George C. Lorimer, D.D. Every one 
who knew the autlior of our national hymn, knew him to 
love him. His words, which seem to be almost the 
words of inspiration, h.ave made their national imprint. 
It is in view of the fact that Dr. Smith belonged, not 
simply to New England, the place of his nativity, but to 
our nation, that this little booklet is published. May the 
words of our patriot-poet inspire every true American 
citizen to a higher, truer, and nobler life. 

George \V, Coleman, ^ 

Robert A. Barbour, > Connnittee. 

Frank E. H. Gary, * 



^Rcv. Samuel Jfrancie Sinitb, B.S), 



BIOGRA PHICA L SKE TCH. 

" My Country, "tis of Thee.*'' The author of this 
remarkable hymn. Rev. Samuel Francis Smith, U.D., 
was born in Boston, Mass., Octol)er 21st, 1808, and died 
in the same city, November i6th, 1895, having reached 
the advanced age of eighty-seven years. Dr. Smith was 
prepared for college in the Boston Latin School, receiving 
the ''Franklin Medal" at the end of his course. He 
entered Harvard University in 1826, graduating in the 
class of 1829, among his classmates Ijeing the late Dr. 
Oliver Wendell Holmes. He afterwards entered the 
Andover Theological Seminary, where he graduated at 
the age of twenty-four. Just after leaving the seminary 
he was engaged in editorial work for about one year. 
At the age of twenty-six he accepted a call to the first 
Baptist Church at Waterville, Maine. At the same time 
he accepted the professorship of niodern languages in 
Waterville College, now Colby University. It was during 
his early stay in Waterville that he was married to Miss 
Mary White Smith, who survives him. 



lO BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 

Dr. Smitli held the two positions of pastor and 
professor for a period of about eight years. He then 
removed to Newton Centre, Mass., and became edi- 
tor of the CJiristiaii Rc7'icuK and pastor of the First 
Baptist Church of that place. His editorial duties con- 
tinued for a period of seven years, and that of pastor 
for about twelve years. At tlie expiration of his pastor- 
ate he was elected editorial secretary of the Missionary 
Union, wiiich position he held for tifteen years. These 
were years full of consecrated service and Christian activ- 
itv. Whatever duty he undertook to perform, he per- 
formed it to the best of his ability, supported by a ripe 
Christian experience, and a true scholar's instinct. 

He visited Europe twice, once in 1875. ^"^^ again live 
years later, in 1880, his wife accompanying him upon 
both occasions. It was in 1880 that he travelled exten- 
sively in the East, visiting many of the most important 
missionary stations. Dr. Smith was not only a preacher 
of marked ability, but a scholar and a poet. His gift 
as a linguist was almost phenomenal. At the age of 
eighty-five he was engaged in the study of the Russian 
language, in order better to understand and sympathize 
with the oppressed of that country. Quite a portion of 
the later part of his life he devoted to the acquisition of 
some new language ; and it has been stated upon good 
authority that at the time of his death he could read 
readily twelve to fifteen diflerent languages. He was 
also a close and critical student in manv other and varied 



BIOGRAPinCAL SKETCH. II 

departments of learning. As a poet we have had many 
beautiful productions from his pen, liis thought often- 
times taking form in rhyme of a patriotic and Chris- 
tian character. Many are the beautiful hymns which he 
has given to tlie world ; they will stand as a monument 
to his memory: among them might be mentioned the old 
and familiar hymn, " The Morning Lignt is Breaking." 

In 1843 lie published (with Dr. Baron Stowe) "The 
Psalmist;" in 1844, a volume of Lyric Poems: and in 
1895, Poems of •• Home and Country."' His best known 
production, however, is that hymn so near and dear 
to every true American heart, " My Country, "tis of 
Thee." The circumstances under which he wrote 
"America'" can be best described b\' using the Doctor's 
own words, which appeared in the Baptist diion in 
1894. In referring to the history of this old hymn he 
says, "The author was then a student of theologv in his 
last year at Andover, Mass. The hymn ^vas written 
in a leisure hour, just before sunset, and with other 
songs was given some weeks later to Mr. Lowell Mason. 
Mr. Mason was at that time the leader and instructor of 
a children's chorus in Boston. On the following Fourth 
of July, Mr. Mason made this hymn a part of his pro- 
gramme for the children's celebration in the Park Street 
Church. Soon after, singing in the public schools was 
everywhere introduced: with these exercises, "America" 
found its way to the front, and its patriotic words at 
once became popular. The hymn has gone around the 



I 2 Bli HiKA rilICA L SKE TCI I. 

^v()^l(l. aiul now, after sixty years, seems nearer to the 
public heart than ever." 

'• Thy strong, sweet song, Thy noble theme 
Through all the land shall ring, 
Long as the nation lives to chant 
' Save us. (ireat God, our King.' 

Port and Preacher. Teacher, Friend. — 

Thy psalm of liberty 
Hath tilled our hearts, our homes, our lives, 

Witli sweetest harmony."' 

These words of Mrs. M. A. Bucknian beautifuHy ex- 
l^ress the sentiment of every true American lieart. 

Dr. Smjth was lovetl by tlie young as well as the 
old. He won his \\a\' into the ai^lectionate re;;ard of 
every true and loyal heart. Whatever was of interest to 
them was alst) of interest to him. He v.as made an hon- 
orary member (\{ the Young Men's liaptist Social Union 
in 1895 : and uj) to the time of his death he had attended 
all but one of the semi-annual " Ladies.' Xights" of the 
L'nion, either as its honored guest, or as an honorary 
member, and he also C(mtributed the six original hymns 
wliieh appear in this little booklet. 

Citi/en, jxitriot, scholar, poet, follower oi Christ, "tis 
tiue that we shall no longer see thee with mortal eye. 
Like the close of a beautiful autumnal day, as sinks 
the sun over the distant hills only to usher a beautiful 
morning into some distant land, so closes this life to 
us here below, onlv to be renewed in an immortal life 
in the l)eautiful land beyond. The poet, scholar, sci- 



BIOGRA rmCA L SKE TCH. 



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entist, and liistorian may appear upon the " world's 
broad stage," live their brief day and generation, pass 
on and be forgotten. The work of the artist may fade 
upon the canvas, the work of the sculptor may crumble 
into dust, generations may pass into oblivion or live 
only in a few brief pages of history: yet so long as the 
American nation sliall stand, the words "My Country, 
' tis of Thee," will live, and be sung by the countless 
millions of future generations. 

Loved and honored, poet-patriot, we cannot, we will 
not, say farewell; for thou dost live. How appro|)riate 
for the close of a true, noble, patriotic, and consecrated 
life are the words of our brother when he so l)eauti- 
fully sang, — 

" O Ruck of A(;es ! when in death 
My strength grows weak, my spirits fail, 
And earthly helpers leave my feet 
To tread alone the solemn vale, 
Then from each cliff and slope and crag 
Let light from heaven reflected shine ; 
Christ is earth's sun, and Christ alone 
Can gild the tomb with rays divine. 

As clings the seaman, when his bark 
Is shattered by the raging wave. 
To fragments of the broken wreck, 
And vainly hopes his life to save, — 
So in all times of risk and need, 
My spirit to Thy shade shall flee, 
Secure, in life or death, to find, 
O Rock of Ages ! all in Thee.'' 







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Columbue. 

TuxE, " America." 

Westward, brave seaman, sail, 
Pressed on by every gale ; 

God is thy guide ! 
Westward, and nothing fear, 
Westward, thy pathway steer. 
Till some fair land appear 

Beyond the tide. 

Day and night went and came. 
Led l3y God's pillar'd flame, — 

All sails unfurled : 
The sailor trod the deck. 
Fearless of storm or wreck, 
When rose a distant speck, 

Lo I the new world. 

God of the sea and land, 
We trace Thy glorious hand, 

We own Thy power. 
Here set Thy rightful throne. 
Make the new world Thine own. 
Rule its expanse alone, 

Forever more. 



October 17, 1S92. 

19 



nn>artba ant) flDari?. 

Tune, " America.'' 

Cu.mbp:red with earthly care, 
Her lot. to do and bear, 

To watch and wait : 
Martha, with tender thought. 
Her loving service brought. 
It was for Christ she wrought 

Early and late. 

Marv, — ah, place most sweet, 
Low at the Saviour's feet. 

Hung on His word ; 
Hers, but in love sincere. 
Waiting His voice to hear, 
With meek and holy fear, 

Beside her Lord. 

Be ours the bliss to sit. 
Waiting at Jesus' feet, — 

The twain in one, — 
Whether we hear or do. 
With patient hearts and true. 
To toil, and listen, too, 

To Him alone. 



October i6, 1893. 



Tune, "Duke Street." 

As ocean with majestic roar 
Rolls its white billows to the shore. 
Our praise. Lord, like the sounding sea. 
Shall break in ceaseless waves to Thee. 

The rippling stream, the whispering leaves. 
The gorgeous forms which sunset weaves. 
The thunder's crash, the lightning's flame, 
Thy ]3resence and Thy power proclaim. 

Each sunny ray, each sparkling star. 
Glows with His wondrous name afar, 
And all our throbbing pulses tell 
Of Him whose love does all things well. 

Just as the lark with quivering wings 
Soars, and still soars, and, soaring, sings, 
Breathe with each breath the Saviour's praise, 
Extol His name in loftiest lays. 

His mercv every blessing brings. 
Crown Him with glory, King of kings: 
Before His throne, adoring, fall. 
And crown the Saviour Lord of all. 

October 15, 1894. 



fll>i66ionar^ 1b\)inu» 

Tine, " Antioch." 

Spkki) on Thy victory, mighty King, — 
The world awaits Thy call, — 

Swiftly Thy glorious kingdom bring. 
And reign Thou, Lord of all. 

All things are Thine, the earth we tread 

Tlie stars, the sky, the sea : 
And we are in Thy image made, 

C)ur all belongs to Thee. 

So, conquering Prince, o'er all the world 

15id sin and tumult cease. 
And Thy blest banner float, unfurled. 

Above a world at peace. 

(father fresh crowns, of priceless worth. 

Triumphant Saviour, Thou ; 
Till the fair crown of all the earth 

Shall glitter on Thy brow. 

March 19, i>!ij5. 



Tl-ne, " Lyons." 

Extol ye Jehovah, His gloiy proclaim ; 
Our shield and defender, sing praise to His name. 
His life is our life, and we lean on His arm, 
His presence to life gives its holiest charm. 

We hnd in His service our noblest employ, 
To do His blest will is our aim and our joy; 
No bliss like the bliss by His hand to be led. 
No crown like the crown that honors His head. 

We wait for His summons, we bow to His word. 
Our Master, our Saviour, our Teacher, our Lord ; 
We love Thy dear footsteps, we walk in Thy fear. 
Speak, Lord, to our hearts, and Thy servants shall hear. 

Accept Thou the gilt which we lay at Thv feet ; 
For grace we implore, for strength we entreat ; 
So life, be it longer or shorter, sjiall be 
A life full of service, dear Saviour, for Thee. 

October 21, 1895. 



23 



Wkitten roK THE Young Men's Baptist Social Union, September 

1S95, AND adopted as THE 

Hail ! happy scene of feast and song ! 

How sweet the minutes roll, 
When heart to beating heart responds, 

And soul to kindred soul. 
Love rules the hour, true Christian love, 

A force divinely given, 
The foretaste of immortal bliss, 
" The antepast of heaven. 

And who shall be our honored guest. 

With grace to crown the board, 
Who, sit, the !\Iaster of the feast, 

Who, but our glorious Lord ? 
Bring near, with jo}-, the costly vase. 

And break it, — "tis but meet. — 
And pour the precious ointment forth, 
, To bathe His sacred feet. 

Thus the rich banquet, fitly spread, 

Shall prove a feast indeed ; 
And living Ijread from His own hand 

Olu" waiting souls shall feed ; 
The King of kings and Lord of lords 

No royal gift shall spare. 
And manna, of our earthly board, 

Be changed to angels" fare. 

24 



^be peoplc'6 Xaureatc* 

BY 

REV. GEORGE C. LORIMER, D.D. 
Affectionately inscribed to Rev. S. F. Smith, D.D., on the 

OCCASION OF HIS S7TH BIRTHDAY, OCTOBER 2 1ST, I895. 

O PATRIOT Bard ! whose loftiest song 
Shall evermore thy fame prolong, 
Whose growing years, in sacred calm. 
Like notes divine in holy psalm, 
Are praising all things good and true, 
Inspiring" men to think and do, — 
Long may thy harp with sweetest lays 
Wreathe for thy brow the poet's bays. 

True Laureate, thou, of our fair land. 

Uncrowned by king or courtly hand. 

Unpledged to laud some regal cause. 

And seek from princelings cheap applause, — 

Thou art the chosen of the free. 

To sing their song of liberty. 

To fill the people's homes with light, 

And champion in their name the right. 

No storied Abbey waits thee here. 
Nor Minsters roof to sliield thy bier ; 
Thy grave where sturdy freemen lie, 
Beneath the great Cathedral skv : 
And when that day which millions dread 
Shall crown thee with the mightv dead. 
Then shalt thou find, v/hile ages roll, 
A poets' corner in the soul. 



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